Matt pulled a chair up in front of his desk and offered it to Louie. He then walked around to behind his desk and sat in his own chair and leaned back. He watched Louie slowly sit down. "I haven't done anything wrong, have I Marshal?" His eyes blinked moisture away. He hated being in the office under such unusual circumstances. He wanted to bolt out of the jail house and hide in his own room at the back of the livery stable.
Matt shook his head no. "Louie, last night you found a man. He was viciously murdered. Do you remember seeing anyone else in the alley - anything unusual?"
Louie pondered hard on the question. "No, Marshal. I didn't see anyone but poor Mr Thompson."
Matt shifted his position and placed his hands in front of himself on the desk. Slowly he clasped them. "You knew him?" He was slightly surprised by this news.
"I didn't know him a whole lot. He came into Dodge only a few days ago. He said his wife died and he was going to go to live with his son and his family." Louie looked down at his lap. "How very sad this is."
Matt shifted his weight some more while looking intently at the old man sitting in front of him. "Where did you meet him, Louie?"
Louie looked up with a slight smile perched on his face. "He was a nice man Marshal. He bought me a bottle when I put his horse in the livery. We talked a little bit about this and that. He told me that his son was making it big in the steamboat business. His name is Jason. Mr Thompson was very saddened at the death of his wife. I suppose now they are together again." Louie sort of rambled on, but Matt didn't mind.
Matt nodded. "I hope so Louie. Listen, I'll try and track down his son so we can have a proper burial for him." Matt pushed himself up from the desk and stood before he walked to the door. "Thanks Louie. This certainly helps for this one." Matt was referring to the murders.
Louie stood and walked to the door. "Oh, Marshal? When will Festus be back? I thought Doc said he'd be back yesterday."
Matt shook his head in slight disappointment. "He won't be ready to come back to work for a few more days. Doc said that blow to the head he took during that bank heist really hurt him badly. Maybe in a few more days." Matt smiled and patted Louie on the shoulder as he left. Matt remained in the doorway and watch the old man return to his duties at the livery. With a sigh, he stepped out on to the boardwalk and headed to the Long Branch in search of Doc and to share the news about Mr Thompson.
